Book Review: Riding The Bus With My Sister

Gillin, Beth. ‘Riding the Bus with my Sister/How I Learned How to Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride by Rachel Simon. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 02 October 2002.

This review of Riding the Bus with my Sister from the Philadelphia Inquirer is a fairly flattering review of the novel. It is clear that the author enjoyed reading the novel, and makes a point to bring up poignant moments and surprises that the novel had to offer. Another salient feature of this article is the summarization, which hits upon many of the key points of the novel. The article addresses the author’s internal struggle with Beth, their encounters with both kind and unkind people on the bus system outside of Philadelphia, the contrasts between Rachel and Beth in their personal lives and personalities, as well as Rachel and Beth’s traumatic history, which resulted in their separation for many years. This review provides a fairly short yet cohesive summary of the novel, and even addresses one of the issues that is also something grappled with in the novel itself.

The issue of politically correct and people first language has been long debated in the arena of special needs, and this article touches on that with the quote “Is it really a politically correct affectation, Simon wonders, to call Beth "a person with mental retardation," instead of "mentally retarded"? After all, she notes, people with cancer aren't called "cancered." That would reduce them to a disease.” The article ponders the question but does not attempt to answer it in such a short span, merely addressing the issue as one that is presented in the book. Briefly, the article also mentions Rachel’s struggle with nature vs. nurture as Rachel wonders how much of Beth’s personality is her really her personality, and how much of it is her syndrome. These issues require special attention by an informed reader throughout the novel, and once brought to attention by the article, can be made a focus when reading.

Riding The Bus With My Sister

Simon, Rachel. Riding the Bus with my Sister. New York: Plume, 2002.

Riding the Bus with my Sister, written by Rachel Simon, is a compelling autobiography of Rachel and her sister Beth and the year they spent together riding buses around Philadelphia. While on these buses, Rachel learns about her sister and her daily struggles, such as encountering people who yell “Get a job!” and bus drivers who won’t stop for her. The bus system is also filled with wise bus drivers that impart their wisdom, generosity, and kindness upon the two sisters, who both benefit from this treatment in different ways. This book also details Rachel’s internal struggles with how to deal with Beth, dotting the book with memories from her childhood which explain her resentment and pent-up aggression towards her sister. This year long journey enables Rachel to cope with the traumatic events of her past and find a newfound love and respect for her sister as well as herself.

This book follows the journey of Rachel’s self-discovery, from ignorance and bitterness to a desire to learn and understand, to ultimately love and acceptance after forty years. Beth is a complex character and is depicted with compassion and realness, yet the language used in the book is troubling at times. The term mental retardation is used frequently, despite the author’s discovery halfway through the book of the proper terminology and people first language. Rachel questions people first language, as she believes that using that format defines the person by their illness, rather than the other way around. Despite this fact, the overwhelming attitudes of acceptance, love, and willingness to learn are prevalent throughout the book and promote the reader’s own journey to discover their own feelings.

As a piece of diverse literature, this autobiography, written by an insider, clearly portrays the struggles that families endure when living with someone with Down Syndrome. Compassionate and straightforward, the book combats serious issues that are common across these families without giving an ultimate answer. This is a journey of self-discovery for the author which results in a positive, loving relationship with her sister. It is a piece of quality diverse literature that could be used in many ways, least of all to demonstrate internal struggle and ultimately successful relationships.